Implantable devices for subchondral treatment of joint pain

Abstract

Devices and associated methods are disclosed for treating bone, and particularly bone tissue at the joints. Disclosed are implantable devices that can be used either alone or in combination with this augmentation or hardening material for the repair of bone defects and which are particularly suited for use at the joints, and even more particularly, suited for use at the subchondral bone level.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An implantable device for treating a subchondral bone defect of a bone of a joint, comprising:
 an elongate body extending between a first, leading end and a second, trailing end, the second end including a tool-receiving portion for receiving a tool, the elongate body including a central canal for receiving a flowable material, and having one or more channels in fluid communication with the central canal for dispersing the flowable material, the channels being located along one side of the elongate body; 
 the elongate body further comprising a depressed, cutaway portion for containing the area where material extrudes, the one or more channels residing within the depressed, cutaway portion; 
 wherein the implantable device is configured to serve as both a mechanical support to stabilize the subchondral bone defect, and as a portal to disperse the flowable material in a directionally controlled manner to the subchondral bone defect for treatment of the defect; and 
 further wherein the implantable device is configured to be implanted into a subchondral level of the bone while still preserving the articular surface of the bone. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tool-receiving portion comprises a tab. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second end includes fins. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the device is configured to be slip-fitted and press-fitted into the bone. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second end includes a cap. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising external threads along a length of the elongate body. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the depressed, cutaway portion resides within the external threads. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , further including a flange having a surface feature for anchorage to an outer surface of the bone. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the surface feature comprises spikes. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tool is an insertion tool, an injection needle, or a catheter. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first end is tapered. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flowable material is a bone cement, bone graft material, biologic agent, osteoconductive agent, osteoinductive agent, or osteogenic agent. 
     
     
       13. A system for treating a subchondral bone defect of a bone of a joint, comprising:
 an implantable device for insertion into bone, the device comprising an elongate body extending between a first, leading end and a second, trailing end, the second end including a tool-receiving portion for receiving a tool, the first end having a tapered tip, the elongate body including a central canal for receiving an injection tool, and having one or more channels in fluid communication with the central canal for dispersing the flowable material, the channels being located along one side of the elongate body; 
 the elongate body further comprising a depressed, cutaway portion for containing the area where material extrudes, the one or more channels residing within the depressed, cutaway portion; 
 wherein the implantable device is configured to serve as both a mechanical support to stabilize the subchondral bone defect, and as a portal to disperse the flowable material in a directionally controlled manner to the subchondral bone defect for treatment of the defect; and 
 further wherein the implantable device is configured to be implanted into a subchondral level of the bone while still preserving the articular surface of the bone; and 
 an injection tool having a hollow shaft configured for insertion through the central canal of the implantable device, the shaft being capable of receiving the flowable material, and further including one or more channels configured to align with one or more channels of the implantable device to allow extrusion of the flowable material out of the injection tool and through the one or more channels of the implantable device. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the injection tool includes the same amount of channels as the implantable device. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the injection tool includes less channels than the implantable device. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the channels of the injection tool are configured in the same spatial arrangement as the channels of the implantable device. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the channels of the injection tool are configured in a different spatial arrangement than the channels of the implantable device. 
     
     
       18. A system for treating a subchondral bone defect of a bone of a joint, comprising:
 a flowable material delivery device for insertion into bone, the device comprising a threaded elongate body extending between a first, leading end and a second, trailing end, the second end including a tool-receiving portion for receiving a tool, the elongate body including a central canal for receiving a flowable material, and having one or more channels in fluid communication with the central canal for dispersing the flowable material, the channels being located along one side of the elongate body; 
 the elongate body further comprising a depressed, cutaway portion for containing the area where material extrudes, the one or more channels residing within the depressed, cutaway portion; 
 wherein the implantable device is configured to serve as both a mechanical support to stabilize the subchondral bone defect, and as a portal to disperse the flowable material in a directionally controlled manner to the subchondral bone defect for treatment of the defect; and 
 further wherein the implantable device is configured to be implanted into a subchondral level of the bone while still preserving the articular surface of the bone; and 
 an inserter tool having a handle extending into a shaft and terminating at a device-attachment end, the device-attachment end being configured to attach to the second end of the delivery device. 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18 , further including a protection sleeve including a tubular body having a handle at one end, and terminating at a bone-contacting surface at an opposite end, the tubular body including a threaded channel configured to threadedly receive the delivery device. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the bone-contacting surface of the protection sleeve is smooth. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the bone-contacting surface of the protection sleeve is roughened to enhance bone attachment.